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Omotesando

From Virtual Japan

Omotesando (表参道) is a popular street, subway station, and local neighborhood of Tokyo. Starting at Harajuku Station, Omotesando Dori runs to the crossing of Aoyama Dori where Omotesando Station is located. The entire street is lined with Zelkova trees, which remain taller than any of the buildings here due to specific building codes. Omotesando roughly translates to "front approach" referring to its proximity to the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Yoyogi Park. As a main approach to the Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Street is heavily traveled with more than 100,000 cars passing through on a daily basis.

In addition to its location and cultural significance, Omotesando is also well known for its shopping, with multiple well known international brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci standing alongside The Body Shop among many others. The well known Japanese toy store Kiddyland and the recent development Omotesando Hills are also popular destinations for visitors to the area. Side streets are as highly trafficked as the main avenue with multiple cafes, bars, and restaurants as well as street stands and other international shopping locales lining the roads.

Attractions

Omotesando is right alongside Aoyama and is often considered together with its popular shopping brethren street. Located in Omotesando are its well known tree lined avenues (a rare sight in the middle of the city) and the one time location of the Dojunkai Apartments. Recent modernization has altered much of the traditional style of the street, but has not taken away from its overall appeal and the shopping in the area.

In addition to the shopping districts where hundreds of high end and affordable shops exist side by side, you can find museums and galleries interspersed. The Nezu Museum, located behind Kotto-Dori is a popular home of Oriental style art from throughout Japan and China, and the tea room here is well known for its ceremonial tea serving and Japanese desserts. The Okamoto Taro Memorial Museum is also located here, housing both modern and Contemporary Japanese art.